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Comment by Brittany Nelson on May 31, 2010 at 3:43pm

Thank you guys so much for your inputs! Last night she chewed up my who memory foam mattress. Not only am I afraid or her health but her chewing it getting alittle too expensive! I will start using a crate when I am not sleeping with her! thank you!

Comment by Monica, Orion, and Laika on May 31, 2010 at 2:28pm

Oh also, "redirecting" is a good way to change chewing habits. Like if she's chewing something bad give a sharp "no chew!" then take the item, give her a kong or nylabone or something and when she starts chewing that give lots of praise. Soon she'll figure out what she can and can't chew

Comment by Monica, Orion, and Laika on May 31, 2010 at 2:25pm

Orion tends to howl if I just throw him in his crate so what I do is wait for him to pass out, then move him to his crate. He's a really deep sleeper and usually either doesn't wake up or wakes up a bit then falls right back to sleep when I set him down. Once he's in he'll sleep the whole night, about 8 hours then he'll wake up and wimper until I take him out to potty. I think a crate is definitely the best solution here

Comment by Bev Levy on May 31, 2010 at 11:58am

Have a safe room if you do not want to crate. I used my kitchen made it puppy safe and gave a kong with a little cheese smeared around in it. It helps them develop the ability to chew on something safe while you are not right there. This stage passes and at around 1&1/2 or 2 if she has not developed really bad habits she will be safe in the house. Unfortunately after the bad habits are allowed to develop it is really hard to change them so step up now to train her. You will be glad you did!

Comment by Holiday Thomas on May 31, 2010 at 11:45am

I have two crates for Olive, our 10 1/2 week old sweetie. One is in the bedroom by our bed and one is down stairs in the kitchen. We also have a puppy pen that is set up in our TV room. The pen gives her plenty of room to play but keeps her safe when she can't be watched. I highly recommend both for your sanity and a happy puppy!

Comment by Rachael & Waffle on May 31, 2010 at 10:14am

Crating does seem to be the solution here. When you want to sleep in the living room, crate her instead of letting her fall asleep on your bed. She probably gets really stressed out when she wakes up and finds you missing, so it's no wonder she starts going through your things and chewing stuff.

Comment by Carla on May 31, 2010 at 10:10am

I should add that if you're really against crating, try putting everything that she could get into (all your clothes hampers and baskets and stuff) in a closet or somewhere else she can't access. Try to reduce the temptations as much as possible, so she's got less to destroy.

At the end of the day, however, you've still got furniture and bedding in the room (and walls!), so if she's intent on chewing on something, she'll find something.

Comment by Carla on May 31, 2010 at 10:08am

I agree with Sky and Lyla. It's not really possible to monitor her when you're not around, so there's no way to correct the behaviour unless she does it when you're in the room. If I couldn't be there to monitor her, I could crate her.

Comment by Sky and Lyla on May 31, 2010 at 9:05am

My dogs are crated when I am not awake and in the house. It not only keeps my things nice, but it keeps them safe. Eating the wrong things can lead to expensive surgery or even death in some cases. I strongly believe in the use of crates!